News: China allows importation of recyclable metals that meet relevant national standards

We refer to the club’s circular on 4 December 2020 concerning the revised People’s Republic of China (PRC) Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes with effect from 1 January 2021.

The current PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes prohibits the import, dumping and disposal of both solid wastes and hazardous wastes, unless they are subject to a specific import license.

The Chinese authorities have now issued a Notice of Regulatory Management in the Import of Recycling Iron-steel Materials. The Notice makes it clear that any recycling iron-steel materials that are in accordance with the standard of the National Standard of Recycling Iron-steel Materials (GB/T 39733-2020) shall not be construed as “solid waste” and are therefore free for importing into China.

The Ministry of Ecological Environment, the General Administration of Customs, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued the Notice of Regulatory Management in the Import of Recycling Iron-steel Materials allowing the import of recycling materials for brass, copper and cast aluminum alloy.

Therefore, scrap metals that meet the relevant GB/T and are re-classified as recyclable materials are allowed for continued importation.

The English translation of the Notice is attached herewith. If members are in doubt, then they are advised to get in touch with their usual Club contact.​

类别: Pollution